A/N: No excuses, only excitement! Ya boi, it's finally happening!
On a separate note, make sure you stay healthy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Title: The Past Does Not Define Us
Rating: T
Pairing: Theodore Nott/Hermione Granger
Summary: "I'm sorry." Those two words shot like an arrow through his soul and Theodore found that there was nothing he could do to stop himself from falling.
Warning(s): Mentions of child abuse and suicidal thoughts.
Chapter 22: The Confession
He flew through Hogwarts' halls, ignoring the shouting of the paintings and students he passed. His running footsteps echoed through the corridors and eventually stopped outside the library. Theodore leaned against the wall, panting, trying to catch his breath before giving up and slowly, resolutely opening the library doors.
He should have known she wouldn't be there. It was foolish of him to think that she would stay, that she wouldn't move on, that she didn't need him, not when she had Weasley (and Potter too).
The rational part of him screamed that it was nearing curfew, she was Head Girl and had patrols, and that even with exams almost upon them, she wouldn't shirk her duty (he knew that like he knew how to breathe, that is, only barely. It still surprises him someone like her exists). The rational part of him screamed that she had other friends who she spent time with (the brilliant fiery girl Weasley, the observant loony Lovegood, Longbottom who walked with his head held high, and so many others that Theodore never knew of), who she was just as loyal to, just as kind to (like Draco and Blaise and Pansy and sweet, sweet Daphne). The rational part of him screamed that running like a maniac would only cause trouble in the long run, would only make people question him (more than they already do).
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The prim, proper, stern voice of Madam Pince interrupted his musings.
"She just left."
Theodore stared as the librarian turned to the next page of her book. Her eagle eyes snapped up to him and she raised one of her sharp eyebrows.
"Well? Go on."
He blinked before nodding dumbly and stumbled back out into the corridor. The thought occurs to him that in all his seven years of schooling, that's the most he's ever heard Madam Pince say. His feet guided him down the hall and oh God, she's been watching me this entire time? She's been watching me and Hermione this entire time? That's so embarrassing I'm never going back to the library aga-
He turned the corner and suddenly everything hurt.
A weight collided into him and he tried to steady himself but failed, tripping over his own feet, sending both of them to the ground. She landed on top of him, one hand splayed by his face, the other slipping and digging into his ribs. Distantly, he heard the sound of books falling and skidding along the stone floor. His vision filled with stars, curly brown hair, and the flickering fairy lights that lined the hallway.
What just happened?
"Ow…"
Hermione pushed herself up and off him, kneeling at his side, her hands checking for injuries.
"Theodore? Oh God, Theodore, are you alright? I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
He blinked and she came back into focus, her uniform rumpled and hair in disarray.
"-I forgot my notes and was heading back to grab them, they're for Flitwick's Charms essay that's due next week, and I was in such a rush and wanted to make it before curfew-"
There were bags under her eyes and her cheeks were flushed with energy and embarrassment. She scrambled to grab her wand, picking it up from the under the fallen pile of books and scattered parchment and quills and a shattered bottle of ink leaking into the stonework.
"You're not bleeding, are you? Can you sit up? You haven't broken anything, have you? Do you need to go to the hospital wing? Can you walk?"
"I love you."
Silence filled the hallway. Hermione gaped, mouth opening and closing in shock.
"What?" she asked, voice strained.
In retrospect, Theodore probably should have thought this through a bit better.